fascism

Where does the word "fascism" come from? It comes from Latin fasces, passing through Italian before entering English (1920s).

Fascism’s story begins in Latin: fasces meant “a bundle of rods, symbol of authority.” A bundle of rods carried before Roman magistrates as a symbol of authority. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in Italian as fascio. Literally 'bundle', applied to political associations and unions. By 1919, Italian speakers had reshaped it into fascismo. Coined for Mussolini's authoritarian nationalist movement, consciously invoking Roman imagery. It reached English by 1920s as fascism. Borrowed for the movement and, later, the broader ideology it named. Today, fascism means a far-right, authoritarian political ideology and movement.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fasces "a bundle of rods, symbol of authority", a bundle of rods carried before Roman magistrates as a symbol of authority.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1800s fascio "a bundle; a political group", literally 'bundle', applied to political associations and unions.
3. Stage 3 · Italian · 1919 fascismo "Mussolini's authoritarian political movement", coined for Mussolini's authoritarian nationalist movement, consciously invoking Roman imagery.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1920s fascism "a far-right authoritarian political ideology", borrowed for the movement and, later, the broader ideology it named.